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For
more than 800 years a magical tale has been told that Tintagel was
the birthplace of the noble King Arthur.
He
was protected from evil by Merlin the magician who lived below the
castle in a cave.
Click
here
enjoy a gallery of photographs from Tintagel Castle and
the north Cornwall coast.
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As
many mysteries remain about Tintagel as facts are known. Today the
two are inextricably entwined and the village remains one of the
most awe inspiring and romantic spots in the UK.
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| North
Cornwall coastal views from the castle |
The
castle is found in the spectacular setting of the dramatic north
Cornwall coast. Atlantic breakers crash against the cliffs, and
through Merlin's cave, as visitors climb the steep but breathtaking
path to Tintagel Island.
The
ruins of the 13th Century stronghold of the Earls of Cornwall continue
to be explored by people from all over the world.
On
the mainland itself, the gaunt remains of the medieval castle represent
only one phase in a long history of occupation.
Even
before Richard, Earl of Cornwall, built his castle, Tintagel had
come to be associated with the conception of King Arthur.
The
connection was later renewed by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his Idylls
of the King.
During
the summer months, a story-teller is often on hand to bring the
legends of King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot to life. In the bleak
mid-winter, Tintagel is a place that inspires the imagination of
writers and poets. It's a place of dreams, romance and legend.
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| Tintagel
Haven, below the castle |
In
June 1998, excavations were undertaken under the direction of Professor
Chris Morris of the University of Glasgow, on a relatively sheltered
and small site on the eastern side of the island, first excavated
in the 1930s.
Pottery
from the 5th and 6th centuries was found, as well as some fine glass
fragments believed to be from 6th- or 7th-century Málaga.
Even
more remarkable was a 1,500-year-old piece of slate on which remain
two Latin inscriptions. The second inscription reads: Artognou,
father of a descendant of Coll, has had [this] made. Who exactly
Artognou was continues to be a subject for lively speculation.
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Castle
Opening Times
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1
Apr-30 Sep 10am-6pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
31
Oct 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1
Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
24-26
Dec and 1 Jan Closed
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More
from English Heritage
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Chysauster
Ancient Village
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This
Celtic settlement was originally occupied almost 2,000 years
ago. The village consisted of eight stone-walled
homesteads known as courtyard houses, which are
only found on the Lands End peninsula and the Isles
of Scilly.
1
Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-30 Sep 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-31 Oct 10am-4pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
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Pedennis
Castle
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Pendennis
Castle, Falmouth
1 Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-30
Sep 10am-5pm Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1
Oct-31 Mar* 10am-4pm Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
24-26
Dec and 1 Jan Closed
1
Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm* Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
*Closes
at 5pm on Saturdays
*1 Apr - 31 Oct Sat access may be by guided tours only, closing
at 4pm, call to confirm - 01326 316594.
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Restormel
Castle
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Lostwithiel
Surrounded by a deep moat and perched on a high mound, the
huge circular keep of this castle, built at the turn of the
14th century, survives in good condition
1
Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1
Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-30
Sep 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-31
Oct 10am-4pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
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St
Catherine's Castle
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Fowey:
A
small fort built by Henry VIII in the 16th century to defend
Fowey Harbour, with two storeys with gun ports at ground level.
Open
All Year Any Reasonable Time Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
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St
Mawes Castle
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St
Mawes:
This, the most perfectly preserved of Henry VIIIs coastal
fortresses, was built to counter the invasion threat from
Europe in partnership with its twin, Pendennis, on the other
side of the Fal Estuary.
1
Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-30 Sep 10am-5pm*
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1-31Oct 10am-4pm
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
1 Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm
Mon Fri Sat Sun
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed
*May close at 4pm on Saturdays from 1 Apr-31 Oct. Call to
confirm 01326 270526
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